Rice at East Carolina - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rice logo   Rice Owls at East Carolina Pirates  East Carolina logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium - Greenville, NC  (American Athletic)

 
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (14 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.1 - 8.9 (#88)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
ECU coming off BYE
RICE is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: East Carolina -19.5  (SP+ ECU -23)
Projected Score: RICE: 17 - ECU: 36 (53)
ECU Win prob: 88% | Cover: 46%
RICE Travel: 1124 miles, 1 hrs behind
Pirates (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Blake Harrell (14 - 5)
Avg Score : 33 - 20 (36 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#20)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
Rice's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Rice vs Houston Christian-9.5
Sat 9/12 Rice at Notre Dame+43
Sat 9/19 Rice vs Western Michigan+6
Sat 9/26 Rice at Fresno State+13.5
Sat 10/3 Rice vs UTSA+11.5
Sat 10/10 Rice at East Carolina+19.5
Sat 10/17 Rice vs Tulsa+5
Sat 10/24 Rice at Florida Atlantic+8
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Rice at North Texas+20.5
Sat 11/14 Rice vs Tulane+13
Thu 11/19 Rice at Temple+11.5
Sat 11/28 Rice vs Army+9

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rice's Schedule
East Carolina's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 East Carolina at Alabama+19
Sat 9/12 East Carolina vs App State-16.5
Sat 9/19 East Carolina at Old Dominion-1.5
Sat 9/26 East Carolina vs North Carolina Central-26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 East Carolina vs Rice-19.5
Thu 10/15 East Carolina at UAB-16
Thu 10/22 East Carolina at Memphis+5.5
Sat 10/31 East Carolina vs Temple-10.5
Fri 11/6 East Carolina vs South Florida+2
Sat 11/14 East Carolina at Charlotte-21
Sat 11/21 East Carolina at Army-2.5
Fri 11/27 East Carolina vs Florida Atlantic-13.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for East Carolina's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
RICE#122 (.06)37% (122)19.138% (114)2.69 (114)20533% (132)983.21 (114)#120 (.25)40% (49)32.941% (55)39% (46)3.71 (73)49.50.80.5
ECU#40 (.21)46% (22)32.745% (55)3.04 (54)17649% (11)2733.76 (63)#33 (.09)38% (27)20.138% (17)39% (45)3.05 (19)61.51.11.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
RICE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ECU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Offense1319.114.236.8%3.210.817302205984.170%28%38%33%18%.06
ECU Defense1320.119.838.3%3.051.8 - - - - - 47%52%38%39%19%.09
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Defense1332.932.640%3.710.5 - - - - - 49%50%41%39%14%.25
ECU Offense1332.736.246.4%3.761.1234491762734.152%46%45%49%13%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Rice1332:4317.134%55%4.849.50.80.551.9027
East Carolina1328:1923.347%47%7.261.51.11.87.82.3131.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
RICE Offense1370% (4)38% (114)49.8204.84.120 (60).05 (102)2.69 (114)73% (61)14% (134)1 (53)
ECU Defense1347% (30)38% (17) - - - - .02 (24)2.51 (11)49% (1)14% (5)1.09 (123)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
RICE Defense1349% (52)41% (55) - - - - .16 (103)3.02 (98)64% (23)9% (106)1.17 (132)
ECU Offense1352% (44)45% (55)43176.34.131 (30).09 (77)3.04 (54)69% (94)8% (30)0.83 (120)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RICE Offense1328% (133)33% (132)11.417.297.65.78.611 (121)4 (7).12 (122)1.7 (28)32% (81)20% (135).02 (133)3% (7)2.1 (41)
ECU Defense1352% (113)39% (45) - - - - - - 10 (100).17 (36)1.4 (22)36% (11)28% (44).18 (23)6% (81)1.8 (22)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RICE Defense1350% (88)39% (46) - - - - - - 3 (100).36 (117)1.9 (134)32% (55)31% (84).43 (123)5% (102)2.5 (135)
ECU Offense1346% (91)49% (11)21.933.8272.78.112.422 (61)6 (34).37 (32)1.5 (71)26% (7)37% (12).49 (13)5% (33)1.8 (118)

Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -12.86  #117
Rice's Offense Rating: 3.46  #120
Rice's Defense Rating: 21.32  #109
2026 Talent Rating: 570.00  #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #87
Rice's 2026 Expected Record: 3.1 - 8.9
Rice's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.8  #120
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7  #119
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.9  #112

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 728.49

Power Ratings Matchup
Rice: -12.86   East Carolina: 5.44

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rice: -14.8   East Carolina: 8.0




East Carolina's Power Ratings
East Carolina's Power Rating: 5.44  #79
East Carolina's Offense Rating: 9.26  #90
East Carolina's Defense Rating: 16.38  #72
2026 Talent Rating: 636.00  #85
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #87
East Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
East Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.0  #38
East Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.6  #33
East Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.0  #51

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 728.49


Rice Scoring
Offense: 19.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 14.2
Defense: 32.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.6

Rice's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
East Carolina 36
Rice 17

Projected Total Points: 53
East Carolina Scoring
Offense: 32.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.2
Defense: 20.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.8

East Carolina's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202309/30Rice24East Carolina17Rice -3.5Rice47.0Under
201011/20Rice62East Carolina38
200910/17East Carolina49Rice13
200611/18Rice18East Carolina17
200510/08East Carolina41Rice28
TeamWinsCoversO/U
East Carolina200 Overs
Rice311 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 50 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#117) RICE at (#79) ECU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRICEECU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #117 #79
SP+SP+ #120 #38
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #102 #85
Blue ChipsBC% #87 #87
Rice Notes
(1/29) Staff year 2, unique Gun Option offense
(1/29) QB Brown (UCF) better runner than pass, good fit
(1/29) RB Jackson good LY, 3 RB needed, some depth
(1/29) WR rebuild, Mosey (HC) good add. Must block/run
(1/29) OL 2 FT starters, 2 PT. Has pieces if depth can fill
(1/29) DL lost best DE/DT. Some exp to build on
(1/29) LBs are the size of DBs. Huge ? that lacks answers
(1/29) DBs went heavy in portal, some decent options
(1/29) Def Succ #s LY misleading, torched by big plays
Rice Injury Report
East Carolina Notes
(2/25) Vibes: Good, Harrel a 14-5 start, won 9 LY
(2/25) Sneaky good portal class, #12 in G5
(2/25) QB1 Griffis (TT) vs Williams (Miami) will battle
(2/25) RB Allen (Marsh) & Gray (UNT) with depth
(2/25) WR has good looking trio & really good depth
(2/25) OL has 3 starters, need help at OT, 3 portals
(2/25) DL looks workable, solid DT combo, need rush
(2/25) Def back 7 needs work, 8 portals should help
East Carolina Injury Report
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffECU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122 #27
ExplosiveExp #115 #84
PPAPPA #122 #33
PowerPwr #120 #72
SP+SP+ #119 #51
Pts POPPO #114 #19
HavocHav #109 #11
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffECU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114 #17
Run ExplRExp #53 #123
PPAExp #102 #24
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114 #11
Stuff RateStuff #102 #3
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffECU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132 #45
Pass ExplPExl #28 #22
PPAExp #122 #36
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134 #5
DB HavocDB #7 #81
East Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatECU OffRICE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #22 #49
ExplosiveExp #111 #136
PPAPPA #40 #120
PowerPwr #90 #109
SP+SP+ #33 #112
Pts POPPO #63 #73
HavocHav #25 #110
East Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
ECU OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #55 #55
Run ExplRExp #120 #132
PPAExp #77 #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #54 #98
Stuff RateStuff #13 #93
TackleTak - NR
East Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatECU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #11 #46
Pass ExplPExl #71 #134
PPAExp #32 #117
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30 #106
DB HavocDB #33 #102
Program Comparison
ECU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

RICE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Rice beat East Carolina in 2023 (24-17)

  
RICE's OC Vince Munch (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Patrick Crayton Jr.71547%73124.9
Lucas Scheerhorn91369%40003.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Quinton Jackson18088964.973
DAndre Hardeman Jr.7630224.036
Tyvonn Byars3419315.732
Jacurri Brown (Tr)1614228.960
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Max Mosey (Tr)5049009.846
Payton Matthews493023.354
Quinton Jackson474118.575
Tyvonn Byars253026.543

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Jon Kay (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
AJ Brown (Tr)530000
Jo Chavez402011
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
Joseph Mutombo122211
Cooper King82100
Daveon Hook163100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tariq Watson120012
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
Jerrick Harper231002

ECU's OC Jordan Davis (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Mitch Griffis (Tr)263672%357209.9
Emory Williams (Tr)131968%156008.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Michael Allen (Tr)7738545.068
Ashton Gray (Tr)5837756.551
TJ Engleman5930615.223
DeJuan Lacy104414.415
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brock Spalding42554313.255
Ja'Keith Hamilton (Tr)40545513.664
Landon Sides (Tr)34449113.260
Ismael Smith Flores19227611.943

View East Carolina's Full Roster

ECU's DC Jordan Hankins (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zyeir Gamble (Tr)724004
DJ Johnson Jr.605120
Ayden Duncanson331001
Preston Carr315220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jasiyah Robinson267530
Kendrick DuJour115411
Rion Roseborough166310
Preston Carr315220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zyeir Gamble (Tr)724004
Ashton Levells (Tr)211004
Kevon Merrell275012